DETROIT — Kurt Suzuki is willing to accept what Jorge Soler can’t do on the bases in exchange for what he can do in the batter’s box.
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A day after Soler revealed that he can only run at 60%-70% because of a nagging groin injury, the Angels’ manager shrugged at the suggestion that Soler could use some time off.
“He just had a day off,” Suzuki said. “We had a team day off (on Monday). He’s swinging the bat fine. He’s looking good. And he’s in the lineup.”
Soler said through an interpreter Wednesday night that the “soreness” started “a few days ago.” On Thursday, Suzuki said it’s just a normal ache for a player to withstand during a season.
“Baseball players, you go through a long season,” Suzuki said. “There’s always these things you go through. You battle through and do whatever you can to stay on the field.”
Soler, 34, was back in the cleanup spot at designated hitter Thursday, with a .215 average and .701 OPS. Soler was last out of the lineup May 21. He has exactly one hit in each of the past seven games he’s started, although only one of those was an extra base hit.
Soler’s limited running ability burned the Angels in the second inning Wednesday night. He was at first when Wade Meckler hit a ground ball just in front of him. Soler had to stop so the ball wouldn’t hit him, and then he was only jogging when he started toward second. Tigers second baseman Hao-Yu Lee bobbled the ball, but he was still able to force Soler at second because he was jogging.
Had Soler been running a little faster in their 4-0 loss, he would have been safe and the Angels would have had runners at first and second with no outs.
“It is what it is,” Suzuki said. “He had to stop. Worst case is he started up and popped it or hurt it real bad. It’s one of those things where it happened and you have to deal with it.”
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POMERANZ RETURNS
Left-hander Drew Pomeranz was activated after missing the minimum 15 days with elbow inflammation. The Angels optioned left-hander Tayler Saucedo to make room.
Pomeranz had allowed nine runs and three homers in seven innings over the nine games before he went on the injured list.
Suzuki said Pomeranz has told him the time off has helped him feel better than before he went on the injured list.
“We’re definitely excited to have him back,” Suzuki said.
NOTES
First baseman Nolan Schanuel said the MRI exam on his left ankle revealed tendinitis. He doesn’t have a firm idea on the timeline for him to return after being placed on the injured list Wednesday. …
Travis d’Arnaud is now able to “lightly” walk, Suzuki said. D’Arnaud (plantar fasciitis) had been unable to put weight on his foot when the Angels were at home, so the catcher was using a scooter to get around. …
Right-hander Ben Joyce is continuing to throw, but he’s not yet on a mound, Suzuki said. Joyce (shoulder surgery) had his rehab slowed down when he was on the verge of returning.
UP NEXT
Angels (RHP Walbert Ureña, 2-4, 2.58) at Rays (RHP Nick Martinez, 4-1, 1.51), 4:10 p.m. PT Friday, ABTV, 830 AM
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